Art in the Park

yesterday --

I met a long haired man

who painted with his own blood

 

haunting portraits, surreal landscapes,

an old windmill backlit by a setting sun:

            remarkable detail

            impossible shading

 

but the images were of little consequence --

people drenched themselves in the morbid thirst

             to hang blood on their modern walls

 

crowds gathered --

gawkers whispered and pointed,

tied knotted pathways around wooden skeletons

holding canvas’ beneath Magnolia trees

 

I may have been the only one to ask

            why

 

he told me the world was flat before it was round --

            that art is evolution, and

            you must be willing to die

            before you can truly live

Reviews

[Jack...]

Wow Sarah, very deep. I believe any of us who choose to pursue art, in whatever form, as a career, no actually I should say purpose, for if you pour your heart into it, it is much more than a hobby, must make certain sacrifices to achieve the lofty goals I believe most of us set for ourselves. Of course, regardless of what it is, painting. poetry, music, anything creative we first do it to please ourselves, but the sacrifice is often letting go of that work and allowing others to touch it, to hold it, caress it or in some cases disgard it. I may be way off base with this, but I believe each time we write something, we are truly giving a part of ourselves away to others and in that action, losing a little piece of oursleves each time.

I found your poem very intriguing and inspiring to push myself to do better.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you, Jack!

[Ed Hart]

the last couplet is the truth, but the blood painting is a dirge performance...you find poetry everywhere

[SteveB]

A very intriquing write thst raises so many questions. And the ending can be taken in so many ways - Christian death and resurection, a more generally spiritual sense of surrender of the self/ self-will .

I was touched by the passers by/customers and the way you portrayed them.

Nicely done.

[Dean]

'He" taught; you were willing to listen. That is, I think, why you are such an effective poet. First, you always listen.

[Ken Simm.]

Ars longa vita brevis is what I can say. Beautifuly written.

[Astro]

Your wisdom and originality make for such vivid art like a written description of a tarot card. Strange pictures come to life as your eyes and hands devour the content of your lines. You have dealt the reader a hand written in blood that stains the soul. Well done my friend, well done indeed.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you, as always... :)

[Astro]

You're welcome, as always...(:

[Pryde Foltz]

Very intriguing write, Sarah. You've led us to the answer but not quite given it. But you given enough; so if we if dig a little, we can find it on our own. I LIKE THAT. Your word play is elegant as always.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so much, Pryde.

[K. Louis]

I love the exchange at the end...very cool story.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you, K...it was an interesting experience :)